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Border Protection
The High Court�s decision that Australian labour laws should apply to cargo ships plying our shores could be the first shot in the fight back against the excess of corporate globalisation.
Interview: The New Deal
US union leader Amy Dean expands on her agenda to give unions a real political voice
Unions: In the Line of Hire
Unions have lobbied and negotiated in a bid to stem casualisation and insecurity. Now, Jim Marr, writes they are seeking protection through a formal Test Case.
Culture: Too Cool for the Collective?
Young people are amongst the most vulnerable in the workforce. So why aren't they joining the union, asks Carly Knowles
International: The Domino Effect
An internal struggle in the biggest and strongest industrial union in Germany IG Metall has had a devastating wave effect across not just that country, but also the rest of Europe, writes Andrew Casey.
Industrial: A Spanner in the Works
Max Ogden looks at the vexed issue of Works Councils and the differing views within the union movement to them.
National Focus: Gathering of the Tribes
Achieving a fairer society and a better working life for employees from across Australia will be key themes at the ACTU's triennial Congress meeting later this month reports Noel Hester.
History: The Welcome Nazi Tourist
Rowan Cahill looks at the role Australia's conservatives played in supporting facism in the days before World War II.
Bad Boss: Domm, Domm Turn Around
Frank Sartor might have shot through but Robert Domm still calls the IR shots at Sydney City which pretty much explains why the council is this month�s Bad Boss nominee.
Poetry: Just Move On.
Visiting bard Maurie Fairfield brightens up our page with a ditty about little white lies.
Review: Reality Bites
The workers, united, may never be defeated but if recent episodes of Channel 10 drama The Secret Life Of Us are to be believed, this is not necessarily a good thing, writes Tara de Boehmler.
 Legal Missile Holes Ships of Shame
Labour Rights Threaten Trade Deal
Workers Sharpen Community Clause
"Puppet" Sparks Appeals
FiFo, FiFo � Out the Gate We Go
SRA Chief Off The Rails
Qantas: Long Lunches on Rocks
Water Crisis a Mist for Sell-Off
Aussies Enter Karoshi Zone
Combet Flies Ansett Plan
Westfield Workers Seek Clean Start
Rubber Workers Stretch Bridgestone
Workers Art in Broken Hill
Activist Notebook
The Soapbox
Fighting Words
Craig Emerson gave what could be the most spirited Labor spray in a decade to the NSW Labor Council this month. Here it is in all its venom. Education
Out of Their Class
Phil Bradley argues that Australia's education system should not be up for negotiation in the global trade talks. The Locker Room
The ABC of Sport
Phil Doyle argues that the only way to end the corporate madness that is sport, is to give it all back to the ABC. Postcard
Locks, Stocks and Barrels
Union Aid Abroad's Peter Jennings updates on the situation in Burma, where the repression of democracy is going from bad to worse.
Workplace Bullying
Casual TAFE
Wage Rise
The Fifth Column
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Labor Council of NSW
Vic Trades Hall Council
IT Workers Alliance
Bosswatch
Unions on LaborNET
Evatt Foundation
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News
Water Crisis a Mist for Sell-Off
Sydney Water�s workforce is bracing for a privatisation push by new minister Frank Startor, as electricians strike over safety issues.
After a week of media attention centring on the quality and disposal of Sydney's water supplies, Australian Services Union president Sally McManus put Sartor on notice any moves to total or partial privatisation will be vigorously opposed.
"Our position is no more job losses. No selling off our essential services," McManus says. "No more contracting out - Sydney Water work should be done by Sydney Water workers.
"It has been bad government policy over many years that has caused the current problems."
McManus made the comments as ASU and AMWU this week members signed off on a new enterprise agreement that delivers a five per cent pay rise, union delegate rights and a commitment to better union consultation.
While they were voting, electricians were walking off the job, claiming that contracting out of maintenance jobs had lefts insufficient workers to ensure the safe operation of Sydney Water facilities.
The workers were also angry that Sydney Water management has eliminated the $1,98 per day 'Foul Air Allowance at the Bondi Sewage Plant, paid in recognition of the stench workers must endure there.
By week's end, the workers had returned to the job after a hearing in the NSW industrial Relations Commission, after Sydney Water agreed to review the stench at Bondi and deal with the safety grievances.
All of which adds up to some early challenges for Sartor, the former Lord Mayor of Sydney fast-tracked onto the front-bench by Premier Bob Carr after the March state election.
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Issue 190 contents
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